Arsenal are planning to sign a new left-winger this summer, following Leandro Trossard’s departure to Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas.
Martin Keown has suggested the Gunners must have a “special talent” in mind as a replacement for Trossard, given everything the Belgian has achieved at the Emirates Stadium.
The former defender also added: “I’m not surprised. I think he’s been a fantastic servant for Arsenal, come in and done an amazing job. They don’t really get a lot of money, Arsenal, from players that they let go.
“So I think they’re looking at this and thinking, “Okay, we’re going to bring in another winger in… which one of Trossard or [Gabriel] Martinelli should we let go?”, and Martinelli was coming into some really good form. I think Martinelli did really for Brazil actually.”
Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola and Club Brugge’s Christos Tzolis have already been identified as targets at left-wing, and there has now been a further update on Mikel Arteta‘s side’s pursuit of the latter player.
Arsenal set for club-to-club talks to sign Christos Tzolis
According to reporter Ben Jacobs, Arsenal are now poised to accelerate club-to-club talks regarding a deal for Tzolis, who Club Brugge are willing to sell for around £30m – £35m.
Jacobs makes it clear the Gunners signing the Greece international would have no impact on the potential signing of Rogers, who could still arrive before the transfer window slams shut.
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Football FanCast’s Verdict |
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Credibility |
Trusted transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano has already revealed Arsenal have been in constant contact to sign Tzolis, so the next logical step would be to accelerate club-to-club talks. |
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Finances |
The Gunners may be particularly keen to wrap up a move due to the fact the 24-year-old is available for a relatively low fee, with £30m – £35m far more affordable than the reported £130m it would take to prise Rogers away from Villa. |
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Insight |
Club Brugge may not be able to hold out for a mega fee, as the Thessaloniki-born forward is yet to prove himself in one of Europe’s top leagues. That said, he has racked up a whopping 43 goals and 45 assists in 108 games for the Belgian side. |
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Impact |
Trossard was often used as a rotation player by Arteta, playing at left-wing and filling in as a centre-forward when required. Considering Tzolis is yet to establish himself as one of Europe’s top forwards, he could take on a similar role. |
Tzolis ready for another chance in the Premier League
During his previous stint in England, the former Norwich City man failed to record a goal or an assist in 14 Premier League matches for the Canaries.
However, the left-winger has clearly kicked on since then, as evidenced by the fact he managed to catch the eye in the Champions League last season.
The Club Brugge star was particularly impressive against Atletico Madrid, who Arsenal defeated in the semi-final, scoring his side’s third goal in a 3-3 draw.
Lauded as “unbelievable” by reporter Dimitris Manakos, Tzolis recorded a whopping 40 goal involvements in the Belgian Pro League too, which was 16 more than any other player in the division, and indicates he deserves another chance in England.
